Understanding Ishan Uday Scholarship

Ranjan K Baruah *

There are many students who ask me a common question related to scholarships or financial assistance for higher studies if they are studying in north eastern region or outside the region or even abroad.

There are few limited scholarships for students who perform well in academics but there are many other scholarships which may support the students during their academic career. One of the popular scholarship amongst the students of north eastern region in recent years in Ishan Uday Scholarships.

The Ministry of HRD and the University Grants Commission has taken special interest with regard to promotion of higher education in the region. For improving the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER), promoting higher education and for encouraging children belonging to economically weaker section of the NE region, the UGC has decided to launch “Ishan Uday” Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region from academic session 2014-15.

Before launching the scheme the UGC undertook wide ranging consultations with State Governments and Central & State Universities of the NE region, the Ministry of HRD, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the North Eastern Council, Shillong and other stakeholders.

The objectives of the Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region are to provide equal opportunities for higher studies in NE Region; to increase the GER in NE Region; to focus more on professional education in NE Region and optimum utilization of NER Budgetary Allocation. It is envisaged to provide ten thousand (10,000) fresh scholarships every year beginning from the academic year 2014-15 for general degree courses, technical and professional courses, including medical and para-medical courses.

Students with domicile of NER who have passed Class XII or equivalent exam from a school situated within NER through any recognized Board of Education, including Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE), National institute of open Schooling (NIOS) within NER only, and have secured admission in general degree course, technical and professional courses including medical and paramedical courses (Integrated courses included) in Universities/Colleges/Institutions recognized by the government .

Only first year Under-graduate students are eligible to apply for the scholarship. For availing scholarship under this scheme, the income of the parents of the student should not exceed Rs.4.5 lakh per annum.

Students’ studying in open universities is not eligible for this scholarship. Diploma courses or students studying under any management quota are excluded from this scholarship. An amount of Rs.5400/- p.m. for General Degree courses and Rs. 7800/- p.m. for Technical & Professional courses (including Medical & Para medical courses) will be given through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary student. Scholarship closing date is 31st October 2019

Scholarships Portal:

National Scholarships Portal is one-stop solution through which various services starting from student application, application receipt, processing, sanction and disbursal of various scholarships to Students are enabled.

National Scholarships Portal is taken as Mission Mode Project under National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). National Scholarships Portal is one-stop solution through which various services starting from student application, application receipt, processing, sanction and disbursal of various scholarships to Students are enabled.

This initiative aims at providing a Simplified, Mission-oriented, Accountable, Responsive & Transparent ‘SMART’ System for faster & effective disposal of Scholarships applications and delivery of funds directly into beneficiaries account without any leakages.

Interested may visit www.scholarships.gov.in for further details and all updates.